Treatment device

ABSTRACT

A treatment device for various treatments including the alleviation of pain through the application of heat and/or cold, which can be applied in the home. The device comprises a container of moulded rubber or flexible plastics material having a generally horseshoe or U-shaped configuration with a stopped opening to allow the supply and removal of treatment fluid to, and out of, the container. The container further includes various forms of fastening means for attaching the device around part of the body of the person being treated, and the fastening means may be provided by laces threaded through eyelets, belts and pressstuds or any other convenient attachment means.

[451 Nov. 27, 1973 TREATMENT DEVICE [75] Inventor: Lorraine Lisle, Surrey Hills, I

Australia [73] Assignee: Dolphis Industries Pty. Ltd., Surrey Hills, Victoria, Australia 221 Filed: Apr. 4, 1972 21 App]. No.: 241,017

2,027,290 l/l936 Reach 128/258 Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney-Cushman, Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT A treatment device for various treatments including the alleviation of pain through the application of heat and/or cold, which can be applied in the home. The device comprises a container of moulded rubber or flexible plastics material having a generally horseshoe or U-shaped configuration with a stopped opening to allow the supply and removal of treatment fluid to, and out of, the container. The container further includes various forms of fastening means for attaching the device around part of the body of the person being treated, and the fastening means may be provided by laces threaded through eyelets, belts and press-studs or any other convenient attachment means.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures TREATMENT DEVICE This invention relates to a treatment device and in particular to a device for the alleviation of pain through the application of heat and cold.

The treatment device is for use with animals and more particularly for use with human beings.

There has been a need in the past for a device suitable for treatment, including the alleviation of pain, through the application of heat and/or cold, which can be applied in the home without the necessity for professional supervision.

It is also preferable that such a device be applied in such a manner as to not severely inhibit general movements of the person or animal to which it is applied, and also remove the necessity for holding the device in place by hand whilst treatment is being carried out.

It is also preferable that the device be such that it can be worn with clothing thus enabling the wearer to carry out other activites while treatment continues.

The invention resides in the provision of a treatment device in the form of a molded rubber or flexible plastics material container of a generally horseshoe shaped or U-shaped configuration with a passage communicating with the interior thereof for allowing heat transfer liquid to be supplied into and discharged from the container for treating a wearer of the device and means for opening and closing the passage, said container being adapted by virtue of its shape and the resilient nature of the material used to enable the container to be held in place on the wearer.

Preferably the container is made from rubber while its surface is provided with flutes to reduce burning of the skin of the wearer by having heat applied directly to the skin.

Preferably the means for holding the device in place is provided by web extensions on the free ends of the container which webs are provided with eyelets for the receipt of laces whereby the container may be drawn about, fastened and held in position on the wearer. The laces may also enable the device to be hung away when not in use.

Some examples of the types of treatments for which the device has been found to be particularly useful are, the relief of neuralgic pains in the neck and shoulders, wherein the container is filled with a hot fluid, preferably water, and attached around the neck adjacent the shoulders. In such an application the device is particularly advantageous as it may be worn comfortably while the wearer moves around or while the wearer is sleeping.

Also in treatments involving fomentation, two treatment devices may be used, one containing hot fluid and the other containing cold fluid. Such application eliminates discomfort, and saves time.

For the treatment of sprains, the device is constructed so as to be fixed about an ankle or wrist, and in such an application further security can be provided by using a bandage wrapped around and tightly holding the device in place.

For the alleviation of headache, the device can be positioned extending over the forehead and temple and fastened behind the head. In such an application the device is filled with iced water.

A further application of the inventive device is the alleviation of cramps, wherein the device is filled with cold water and secured about the calf or thigh. Once again for extra security a bandage may be used.

One preferred form of the invention will now be described, by way of example, as particularly suitable for application about the neck and shoulders for the alleviation of neuralgic pain, or about the forehead and temple area for the alleviation of headache, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows one form of the device of the invention in position around the neck and resting on the shoulders of a wearer viewed from the side;

FIG. 2 is the positioned device of FIG. I as viewed from the back;

FIG. 3 is a detailed plan view of one fomi of the device with sections cut away to show the construction of the ends of the device; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

There is provided a hollow container 4 made from non-bum fluted rubber, constructed to have a substantially horseshoe shape configuration and to have a substantially elliptical cross-section (see FIG. 4.)

At one end-5 of the container 4 a through passage 6 is provided from the outside to the inside of the container, through which passage treatment fluid may be poured into the container or emptied out of the container. It may be necessary during prolonged treatments to frequently discard treatment fluid and refill with fresh fluid. The through passage 6 is provided with an insert 7 provided with a circumferential groove 8, which receives a beading 9 formed on the inside of the opening 6, to hold the insert is position in the opening 6. The insert 7 is provided with a tapered threaded hole 10 for the receipt of a stopper 11. More than one groove and corresponding beading may be provided for greater security.

In this particular application of the treatment device a container tapering from its centre to its ends is envisaged, with a dimension of approximately 3 h inches in the centre across the major axis of the elliptical crosssection, tapering to a dimension of 2 k inches at each end. A total length of the outwardly facing surface of the device which has been found to be capable of universal application is to 10 56 inches.

At each end of the container 5 and 12, webs l3 and 14 are provided integral with the container, which webs include one or more eyelets 15 for the receipt of a lace or laces 16 to interconnect the ends of the container and to draw the container around and fasten it to the wearer.

As shown particularly in FIG. 3, the container is provided on its outer surface with circumferentially extending flutes 17 to reduce the heat applied directly to the skin of the wearer.

The above described embodiment is .by way of example only and is directed to a suitable device for the particular purpose outlined, however, it should be understood that the dimensions of the device may be changed to produce a smaller or larger device for other applications depending on the particular part of the anatomy whichis to be treated and to which the device is to be applied.

Although the preferred embodiment utilises a container made from rubber, other types of non-porous materials suitable for the purpose may be used, such as any of the large number of flexible plastics materials available.

Preferably the container is fluted such as to prevent burning of the wearer when the container is filled with hot fluid.

In the preferred embodiment a lace fastening means is utilised, however, other types of fastening means may be envisaged, such as, an interconnecting belt with press stud attachments, or a belt molded integrally with one end of the container and a press stud or like means to attach the belt to the other end of the container.

The preferred embodiment also utilises a screw stoppered through passage which is provided at one end of the container, however, other convenient situations for such means may be envisaged.

The preferred embodiment also utilises a container having an elliptical cross-section, which cross-section provides a large area of contact between the container and the part of the anatomy to which the device is applied, but at the same time does not provide a container having a great degree of bulkiness which is of particular advantage when worn under clothing. However, other types of cross-sections may be utilised.

Also, with the container having a generally horseshoe shape configuration and using a resilient material, the ends of such a container may be pulled apart to facilitate positioning and released to return to its unstressed condition whereby it would perform a light clamping action around the particular part of the body of the wearer.

However a generally U-shaped configuration may be utilised effectively.

The preferred embodiment also utilises a screw type stopper for the through passage, however, other types of stoppers and closing arrangements may be utilised, such as, a press-fitted plug which may also be provided with a security strap attached to or formed integrally with the plug and a portion of the container adjacent the through passage thus preventing loss of the plug.

it is to be understood that the invention includes any modifications that would be envisaged by a person skilled in the art which do not depart from the spirit of the invention, and any such modifications are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A treatment device in the form of a molded rubber or flexible plastics material hollow container of a generally horseshoe-shaped or U-shaped configuration when relaxed, with a passage communicating with the interior for allowing heat transfer liquid to be supplied into, and discharged from, the container for treating a wearer of the device, and means for opening and closing said passage, said container being adapted by virtue of its shape and the resilient nature of the material used to enable the container to be held in place on the wearer.

2. The treatment device of claim 1, wherein the outside surface of the container is fluted.

3. The treatment device of claim 1 whrein means for fastening the container in place on the wearer are provided, said means comprising web extensions fonned integrally with each free end of the container, each of said web extensions including at least one eyelet with at least one lace passed through said eyelet to draw the container around the wearer.

4. The treatment device of claim 1 including means for fastening the container in place, said means including a belt with press stud attachments.

5. The treatment device of claim 1 wherein the container is of elliptical cross-section.

6. The treatment device of claim 5 wherein the container has larger cross-sectional dimensions midway between the ends than at each end thereof.

7. The treatment device of claim 1 wherein said means for opening and closing said passage include an insert received and retained within an opening in one end of the container, which insert includes a threaded hole for the receipt of a threaded stopper.

8. The treatment device of claim 7 wherein the means to receive and retain the insert in the opening in the container is provided by at least one circumferential groove in the circumferential surface of the insert and at least one corresponding beading formed on the inside of the opening in the container, whereby upon the insert being forced into the opening the beading is received and retained within the circumferential groove.

9. A treatment device comprising a flexible hollow container having in its relaxed condition a generally horseshoe or U-shape, said container being of generally elliptical cross-section and having a closed end and an open end which is coaxial with the axis of the container, releasable closure means disposed in said open end, and means for fastening the container to a curved portion of a body, said fastening means including a web integral with the container at each end thereof and extending beyond its respective container end.

10. A treatment device as in claim 9 wherein said releasable closure means is recessed within the open end of the container and includes a stopper.

1 1. A treatment device as in claim 9 including a bushing-type insert engaging the wall forming the open end of the container and releasably held in place by a head on said wall or on the periphery of said insert, said bead cooperating with a complementary circumferential groove in the periphery of said insert or in said wall, said stopper being disposed in a passage extending through said insert. 

1. A treatment device in the form of a molded rubber or flexible plastics material hollow container of a generally horseshoeshaped or U-shaped configuration when relaxed, with a passage communicating with the interior for allowing heat transfer liquid to be supplied into, and discharged from, the container for treating a wearer of the device, and means for opening and closing said passage, said container being adapted by virtue of its shape and the resilient nature of the material used to enable the container to be held in place on the wearer.
 2. The treatment device of claim 1, wherein the outside surface of the container is fluted.
 3. The treatment device of claim 1 whrein means for fastening the container in place on the wearer are provided, said means comprising web extensions formed integrally with each free end of the container, each of said web extensions including at least one eyelet with at least one lace passed through said eyelet to draw the container around the wearer.
 4. The treatment device of claim 1 including means for fastening the container in place, said means including a belt with press stud attachments.
 5. The treatment device of claim 1 wherein the container is of elliptical cross-section.
 6. The treatment device of claim 5 wherein the container has larger cross-sectional dimensions midway between the ends than at each end thereof.
 7. The treatment device of claim 1 wherein said means for opening and closing said passage include an insert received and retained within an opening in one end of the container, which insert includes a threaded hole for the receipt of a threaded stopper.
 8. The treatment device of claim 7 wherein the means to receive and retain the insert in the opening in the container is provided by at least one circumferential groove in the circumferential surface of the insert and at least one corresponding beading formed on the inside of the opening in the container, whereby upon the insert being forced into the opening the beading is received and retained within the circumferential groove.
 9. A treatment device comprising A flexible hollow container having in its relaxed condition a generally horseshoe or U-shape, said container being of generally elliptical cross-section and having a closed end and an open end which is coaxial with the axis of the container, releasable closure means disposed in said open end, and means for fastening the container to a curved portion of a body, said fastening means including a web integral with the container at each end thereof and extending beyond its respective container end.
 10. A treatment device as in claim 9 wherein said releasable closure means is recessed within the open end of the container and includes a stopper.
 11. A treatment device as in claim 9 including a bushing-type insert engaging the wall forming the open end of the container and releasably held in place by a bead on said wall or on the periphery of said insert, said bead cooperating with a complementary circumferential groove in the periphery of said insert or in said wall, said stopper being disposed in a passage extending through said insert. 